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Topic: Legal caravan towing speeds

Bill the Bus

10/8/2009 at 6:12pm
Location: Norwich
Outfit: 57 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi .

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Thought i would post this as there are a lot of new caravanners around this year. There is another post going about drivers speeding so here is the legal towing speeds for UK.

With a caravan in tow it is especially important to stick to the legal UK speed limits otherwise you could find yourself having a nasty accident caused by your caravan snaking.

Do you know the speed limits for when you are towing in the UK?

Below are the UK speed limits for when you are towing a caravan or trailer, which must be adhered to at all times.

Type of Road


Max Speed
mph


Built Up Areas *      30MPH


Single Carriageways   50MPH


Dual Carriageways     60MPH


Motorways             60MPH

* The 30 mph limit usually applies to all traffic on all roads with street lighting unless signs show otherwise.

The Highway Code also states:

"The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions. Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions is dangerous. You should always reduce your speed when:

# The road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends

# Sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, and particularly children, and motorcyclists.

# Weather conditions make it safer to do so.

# Driving at night as it is more difficult to see other road users".

Also remember when towing that you are not allowed on the outside lane of a three or more lane motorway unless any other lanes are closed.

It is always easy to go over the speed limit, especially when the road is clear and straight, but remember that the speed limits for caravans are in place for safety reasons. As we have said before, the safety of your family, yourself and other road users is of paramount importance.

Bill Terry

10/8/2009 at 7:02pm
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Good post. These speeds are the maximum not the minimum!

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Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
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nant mill.N/Wales
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jaysere03

11/8/2009 at 3:53pm
Location: Leicester
Outfit: Abbey stafford 95

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Quote: Originally posted by Bill the Bus on 10/8/2009

Also remember when towing that you are not allowed on the outside lane of a three or more lane motorway unless any other lanes are closed.

monday 10th aug m1 around j28 just into the road works (may be wrong on junction an ill fitting rig flew past me I was just under the 50 limit in the second lane meaning he was way over the 50mph spped limit that was in force and yes he was in lane 3.. a narrow lane that i think was a 6ft 6 width reduction.. lets hope the avaerage speed checks were working

jeepster

11/8/2009 at 5:18pm
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A very good posting, but I still maintain that 99.9% of all drivers are aware what speed they are doing and what their maximum is, but through arrogance or just not caring they chose to exceed the speed limits!

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LegsDownKettleOn

11/8/2009 at 9:16pm
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Here's a question for you though.
Whilst towing in a national speed limit where the limit for a solo car is 60, towing we are limited to 50. Does that mean, if on a dual carriageway with a 60 sign rather than a national speed limit sign (that being seventy for a solo car), does the national speed limit of 60 for towing on a dual carriageway apply, the 60 on the sign apply or does the 60 get rounded down to 50 because of the trailer?

bordercaz

12/8/2009 at 4:55pm
Location: Shropshire North Wales borders
Outfit: Adria Win

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The posted limit of 60 applies to all vehicles who do not have a lower limit for that type of road, so towing would still be 60 mph on a dual carriageway or motorway if there was a 60 sign.

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Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.

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